With his side in 19th position in the league, and some crunch fixtures upcoming, Hughes’ tenancy has reached a dramatic crossroads.
Stoke City manager Hughes was frustrated in his last game against West Brom
Though Stoke City’s current predicament is by no means an impasse, boss Mark Hughes’ time at the club does appear to have reached a crux.
The club sit rooted firmly in the relegation zone after their opening six fixtures, having gained just two points in their Premier League campaign so far. But what will no doubt be piquing the concern of Potters fans, is the fact that the team have conceded an average of 2.5 goals in each of their outings to date – leaving Stoke with the poorest goal difference in the competition.
Early in the season it may be, but the warning lights facing the team are stark. If a 4-0 thumping suffered at the hands of Spurs sent alarm bells vaguely ringing in Stoke supporters’ ears, a 4-1 trouncing against Crystal Palace left them firmly pulsating.
Even in their most recent match against West Brom, the players appeared despondent after conceding a last minute goal to Baggies front-man Salomon Rondon, who was afforded too much space at a corner and duly salvaged a point for Tony Pulis’ outfit.
Albion’s Salomon Rondon celebrates his last-gasp blow to Stoke
So, given that the Mid-West club have made a stuttering start Premier League life so far this term, should the head coach be feeling the heat? Well, three consecutive ninth placed finishes in their past three league seasons cannot be seen as anything other than stable for a club of Stoke’s standing, each time appearing poised on the cusp of breaking the top place stranglehold of the Premier League big boys.
However, when one considers the prodigious amount of money that the Potters have spent over the past few seasons and continue to spend, it is difficult to argue that Stoke City’s flight is not a stagnating one.
The luxury of time remaining to turn this year’s disappointing start around means that at this moment a Mark Hughes sacking as Stoke boss looks unlikely. Indeed, chairman Peter Coates has been an outspoken advocate of the former Manchester City manager since his appointment in 2013. But, if the Potters fail to pick up points from their next four fixtures against Manchester United, Sunderland, Hull and Swansea, then Hughes will certainly find himself at the most fragile juncture of his largely assured tenure so far.
Stoke have endured a worrying opening to the season
His team, packed full of attacking talent capable of swash-buckling any Premier League defence on their day, has not performed for him so far in this campaign. And the Stoke faithful, always a vocal fanbase, have already begun to criticise the football they are watching from the terraces. If the team continue to flatter to deceive, could the powers at be at the club consider the option of bringing in a new man to try and elevate the club to the next level?
Mark Hughes has time on his side as he aims to guide his team away from the dreaded drop zone. But, inconceivable though it may have seemed at the end of last season, Hughes could be a few poor performances away from being shown the door out of the Bet 365 Stadium just weeks into this campaign. Which manager could potentially replace him is another matter, but there’s no doubting that the manager’s reign at the club has reached a crossroads. Hughes must act quickly to patch over this mini-crisis, or he could be faced with his contract being terminated at Stoke City.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
